'Action man' Putin tags whale, dives deep

The prime minister, who visited Russia's Far East Khabarovsk region last week, attached the transmitter to Dasha. Mission accomplished, he clapped the whale on the sides and said: 'Don't be angry anymore'.

The whale was then released back into the sea, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

'Action man' Putin tags whale, dives deep

Later, Putin dived to the bottom of Lake Baykal, well-known for a variety of endemic species, wearing special thermal blue overalls and examined the unique flora and fauna during his four-hour journey underwater aboard the Mir-1 submarine.

"I've never experienced anything like it in my life," said 56-year-old judo-crazy Putin, who prides himself on staying fit.

"It's a special feeling. What I saw impressed me because, with my own eyes, I could see how Baikal is in all its grandeur, in all its greatness,' he was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti.